Opinion page editor Rick Holmes and other writers blog about national politics and issues. Holmes & Co. is a Blog for Independent Minds, a place for a free-flowing discussion of policy, news and opinion. This blog is the online cousin of the Opinion
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Opinion page editor Rick Holmes and other writers blog about national politics and issues. Holmes & Co. is a Blog for Independent Minds, a place for a free-flowing discussion of policy, news and opinion. This blog is the online cousin of the Opinion section of the MetroWest Daily News in Framingham, Mass. As such, our focus starts there and spreads to include Massachusetts, the nation and the world. Since successful blogs create communities of readers and writers, we hope the \x34& Co.\x34 will also come to include you.

As I’ve said, I’m on vacation in Tennessee this week, watching the incredible events unfolding back home from a considerable distance. I’m on my way home today, flying into an unprecedented counter-terrorism operation, expecting delays.

One of the things we should have learned over the last few decades is not to jump to conclusions in the wake of a terrorist attack, not that that stops anybody. Everyone’s awaiting more information on the alleged perpetrators of the Marathon bombing, so they can point fingers of blame, rekindle favorite hatreds and, for politicians, file legislation so that this never happens again.

I haven’t participated much in the conversations below, partly because it was one of the things I’ve been trying to take a vacation from. I will go out on a limb and assert that Barack Obama was not responsible for these bombings, and it is a reflection of Rob’s obsession that Obama seems to be the topic on the table (again).

As 10 years of investment in homeland security are put to use before our eyes, I’d rather hear about other things: the spirit in Massachusetts, the performance of law enforcement and state officials, and how these events have affected you and yours. Meanwhile, I’m off to the Knoxville airport for what may end up being an extended stay.